Who has never felt intense pain when biting into ice cream? This phenomenon, often called “brain freeze”, is relatively common in summer. But it can still be disturbing. Dr Gérald Kierzek explains why our brain reacts this way and how to stop this sensation.
Why do some people feel severe pain when eating ice cream?
This sensation results from a simple self-defense mechanism of the body.
“Brain freeze,” or cold headache, occurs due to rapid cooling of the roof of the mouth and back of the throat. This sudden cooling causes a very rapid contraction of the blood vessels, which are then forced to dilate again to restore blood circulation.explains Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
In other words, the body is simply trying to adapt to this sudden change in temperature. A reaction that could even help the brain maintain a stable temperature despite heat shock, according to researchers.
And although the pain felt may be surprising (being very severe), fortunately it remains harmless.
“The pain is searing, because this alternation of vascular contraction and dilation stimulates the trigeminal nerve, responsible for the sensitivity of the face and head. The brain then interprets this stimulation as pain localized to the forehead or behind the eyes, when in reality it is caused by the cold in the mouth,” specifies the doctor.
A different feeling depending on the profile
Interesting fact: this pain induced by the ingestion of a frozen food would vary depending on each person’s profile. Thus, certain people are more likely to be subject to “brain freeze”, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek. These are:
- Those suffering from migraines;
- Individuals who eat ice cream too quickly;
- People who swallow large quantities of cold food or drinks in one go.
Fortunately, “the pain – which generally lasts from a few seconds to less than a minute – disappears quickly as soon as you stop consuming the cold product”, specifies Dr. Gérald Kierzek, who admits to knowing this feeling a little too well himself.
More surprising: studies suggest that headaches caused by eating ice cream could be transmitted genetically: if your parents are affected, you could be too. (At the moment, these observations are only correlations, and researchers have not yet determined the precise genes involved in this relationship).
What to do when pain appears?
Even if this pain is brief, it remains disturbing. Fortunately, a few simple actions can make it disappear quickly, according to the medical director of True Medical:
- Stop eating or drinking the cold product immediately;
- Place your tongue against the palate (the top of the mouth): the heat of the tongue quickly warms the palate and reduces pain;
- Take a sip of warm water or a liquid at room temperature: this warms the palate and helps restore normal circulation;
- Breathe calmly through your mouth: this helps warm the back of the throat;
- Cover your mouth and nose with your hands to warm the air you breathe;
- Gently massage the temples or forehead to relieve pain.
“These techniques allow you to warm the palate and stop vascular contraction and dilation in a few seconds,” confirms the doctor.
Headache: the right reflexes to adopt
If you are prone to these headaches, know that it is also possible to avoid this sensation… by anticipating. Here are some key actions to adopt before consuming frozen food:
- Eat slowly: let the ice cream melt a little in your mouth before swallowing and give your palate time to adapt to the cold;
- Keep ice at the front of your mouth: don’t let it touch the palate directly for too long;
- Drink in small sips: avoid swallowing large quantities of frozen drinks in one go;
- Avoid drinking an iced drink in one gulp.
Recommendations validated by various studies have shown that children who ate their ice cream very quickly had more cold headaches than those who consumed it more slowly.
In case of frequent headaches, frozen products should be avoided
Of course, people prone to migraines should avoid consuming ice cream (or any other product that is too cold) – because they are more at risk of “brain freeze” than others (even if the results in this area remain controversial).
If you have a sweet tooth, opting for tempered ice creams or certain slightly cold dairy products is also preferable.
“Finally, if you experience frequent, very intense headaches, which last several minutes or are accompanied by other unusual symptoms (visual disturbances, nausea, dizziness), consult a healthcare professional quickly to rule out any underlying cause,” concludes Dr Gérald Kierzek.
You will therefore have understood: “brain freeze” is a relatively common phenomenon. But by adopting a few good reflexes, it is possible to limit its appearance… and continue to enjoy your favorite desserts!